Bonacio presents new vision for Pink Palace in Saratoga Springs

Developer Bonacio willing to raze building, construct only 28 units

Published 7:21 pm, Thursday, December 17, 2015

Facing stout opposition to converting Moore Hall into apartments, developer Sonny Bonacio informed city officials he would be willing to change the project.

Instead of redoing the building, his new plan calls for demolition and replacement.

Bonacio applied to the city for density and parking variances as part of his plan to build 53 apartment units in the former Skidmore College dormitory, located on 1.3-acres on Union Avenue near Circular Street.

Neighbors petitioned against the project, saying 53 residences threaten the safety of pedestrians and drivers and overwhelm the neighborhood. Zoning allows a maximum of 18 units.

But Bonacio surprised opponents on Monday, when he and project representatives asked the city Zoning Board of Appeals to table discussion of its 53-unit plan, and instead entertain a proposed compromise. They said they would be willing to submit an entirely new site plan to the city next month that calls for razing the nearly 60-year-old dorm and building a 28-unit residential building with all on-site parking. "Clearly, we underestimated the level of concern," Bonacio told the board in describing his new proposal. ZBA members said they had concerns with Bonacio's initial plan, and appeared relieved to hear his amended one. The average sale price for the units should stay under $700,000 so they are attractive to buyers, Bonacio said.

Moore Hall is nicknamed the Pink Palace because of the color of its exterior. Norstar Development USA bought the property more than six years ago for $1.1 million. A 2008 plan to demolish the building never materialized. Bonacio said his revised plan is modeled after the 2008 plan. He has an option to buy the property.

John Boardman of White Street, who led opposition to the 53-unit plan, said Wednesday that his concerns about parking and density had been favorably addressed.

"We're happy to see this development and are cautiously hopeful this will go forward as proposed. We plan to continue to follow the developments," Boardman said.